WUHU – If you’ve been keeping up with the Chery line-up, then you’d know that in the short time they’ve been back in South Africa there’s been constant updates to Tiggo 4, Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8. The culture of fast and continuous improvement is not going to change as the Wuhu-based manufacturer has lifted the veil off the first of many new models headed our way, the Tiggo 9 Pro PHEV.
- Chery Tiggo 9 Pro PHEV Fast Facts
- Price: TBC
- Engine: 1.5-litre, turbopetrol, four-cylinder + electric
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Power: 230 kW
- Torque: TBC
- Fuel consumption: 5.2-litres/100 km
- Emissions: TBC
What are we driving and why is it significant?
The all-new Tiggo 9 will slot in above the current range-topper, the Tiggo 8 Pro Max, when it arrives locally at the end of 2024. Riding on Chery’s new super hybrid power platform, the Tiggo 9 is 4 810mm long, 1 925mm wide, and 1 741mm tall. To suit its status as the halo model for the Chinese brand, it’ll also be the largest product from the Chery stable available in South Africa and seat seven.
Although its profile shares similarities with the current Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8, those with a keen eye will notice that it rides on the largest rims we’ve seen on a Chery vehicle. The 20-inch multi-spoke items are wrapped in 245/50 rubber. To go along with the sleeker headlamps and taillights, Chery’s also fitted the Tiggo 9’s doors with pop-out door handles. Contrasting chrome trim borders the side windows and the lower edge of the doors.
Up front, the Tiggo 9 features a massive eight-sided grille, finished in chrome of course, with more chrome trim flanking it on either end. The width of the new vehicle is especially apparent when looking at it head-on. On the tailgate there’s a new wraparound taillight, with a distinctive new light pattern.
What are the Chery Tiggo ’s rivals?
When the Tiggo 9 arrives in South Africa later this year, it’ll go up against stiff competition. The new Honda CR-V, which has just arrived in SA, is a good example of the kind of vehicle the Tiggo 9 will be compared with. Like the Tiggo 9, the Honda comes with all the bells and whistles, is also a seven-seater and is also powered by a 1,5-litre turbopetrol four-cylinder engine.
Another vehicle in the compact SUV segment that the Tiggo 9 will be up against is an Allspace version of the Volkswagen Tiguan, which the German brand is hoping will take take over the compact SUV segment. Both of these are established players that traditionally have been inoffensive in terms of styling, suited to families, with comfortable ride characteristics – attributes that Chery hopes the Tiggo 9 will convey to local potential customers.
What’s it like on the road?
Our brief time behind the wheel of the Tiggo 9 at the Chery test facility revealed a very refined transition from electric mode to petrol power. Although I didn’t squeeze my right foot as hard as I would have on a longer test ride once familiar with everything, the Tiggo 9 didn’t hesitate. We’ve raised concerns about pedal calibration on other Tiggo models before, but Chery seems to have made a concerted effort to make sure this isn’t a hindrance to driving enjoyment. The 1,5-litre turbopetrol motor makes 175 kW on its own and the total system output is 230 kW.
The steering is very light and doesn’t offer all that much feel, but the tight turning circle is a strong point. We also got to go over a few tiny bumps and there were no squeaks and rattles from the cabin and the suspension soaked up the bread roll-sized obstacles with no fuss.
Chery claims that the plug-in hybrid Tiggo 9 is capable of 100 km of electric range and up to 1 400 km when fully-charged and the 70-litre tank is topped-up. The average fuel consumption claim is 5.2-litres per 100 km.
And inside?
If you’ve had to opportunity to peek inside Tiggo 4, Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 in South Africa, then it’s easy to tell that each one is gradually more upmarket. Befitting of this model, the cabin is a level above the rest of the range. The seats feature perforations and are stitches, and the swoopy dashboard features two standalone displays made up high-definition 15.6-inch central infotainment screen and revised smaller screen that makes displays the instruments for the driver.
There’s plenty of room for someone of my 1.7-metre frame, especially those seated in the second row. We’ll reserve judgment on the third row until we can properly measure it back home in South Africa, though it should be able to suit children in comfort.
Verdict
Our initial impression on the Chery Tiggo 9 is rather favourable. As the company’s model line-up expands and they cater to different audiences, in this being those who are more well-heeled, they have also turned their focus on cleaner motoring. In the past, their turbopetrol four-cylinder motors haven’t been especially efficient, so if we can get close to that claimed fuel consumption back home then Chery’s onto a winner.
